St Joseph’s develop memorial garden in memory of founder Dr O’Donnell

A memorial garden is being developed at the St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville in memory of Dr Martin O’Donnell, the founder of the organisation in 1968.

Dr O’Donnell passed away in October 2020, and on Saturday two weeks ago members of Kerry Foods Charleville, along with members of the Memorial Garden Development Committee, volunteered their time to work on the the garden development.

The foundation are developing the garden as a “lasting tribute” to Dr O’Donnell, as well as a “sensory space for those who attend St Joseph’s Foundation, where everyone can enjoy a peaceful space surrounded by nature.”

The foundation thanked the volunteers for their commitment and hard work, noting that the development will continue over the next number of years.

Dr O’Donnell’s memory and legacy was widely praised at the time of his death, and tributes were paid to him in the Dáil by TD Seán Sherlock. He established St Joseph’s Foundation, after moving to Charleville as a GP, and working with a local pharmacist whose son had Down’s Syndrome.

Discussions on the lack of services for those with special needs developed into acquisition of a room in the parochial hall for a classroom. This developed into St Joseph’s Foundation, which today serves over 1,000 children and adults with special needs in North Cork and East Limerick. Regular fundraisers are held throughout the area annually in support of the Foundation.